(vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs, pangasius exports in the first 7 months of 2014 were US$ 972.19 million, down 1.3% year on year. The decline from March to May was followed by growth in June and July. Pangasius export value in July 2014 was US$ 147.7 million, up 9% year on year, in which, pangasius exported to EU and the United States, the 2 key markets, was reported positive growth rates at 10.1% and 5.3%, respectively.
From January to July 2014, pangasius exports to EU were US$ 206.6 million, falling by 6.8% year on year, while pangasius exports to the United States were US$ 180.8 million, decreasing by 21.5% year on year. These two markets were accounted for 39.9% of total pangasius exports from Vietnam, compared to 45.9% over the same period in 2013.
Pangasius exports to EU have continuously declined in recent years. Vietnam pangasius consumption in EU tends to decline from 2010. It dropped by 19% in 2012 and fell by 9% in 2013. On the bright side, decreasing rate in the first 7 months of this year was half of that in the same period in 2013.
Contractionary economy in EU with fierce competition with other white-meat species such as Alaska pollock affected the export value.
The United States stepped down to be the second largest import market for Vietnam pangasius due to repetitive decline. Vietnam exporters blamed the fall of pangasius exports to the United States for high anti-dumping tax (POR9). Pangasius exports to America declined from March till June. Pangasius exports in May dropped 59.2%, which is the highest reduction. March saw the slightest decline by 12.7%. In July, pangasius exports to the United States increased slightly to US$ 29.04 million.
In contrast to the 2 dominant markets, the first 7 months of this year witnessed strong growth in Vietnam pangasius exports to South East Asia markets, Brazil, China and Mexico. Though the decline in the United States and EU has not been made up, efforts from businesses to boost pangasius exports to other markets are clearly shown. Pangasius exports in the first 7 months of 2014 to ASEAN, Brazil and China increased by 15.6%, 16.7%; and 15.3% year on year, respectively. Total shares for these 3 markets accounted for 27.5%. Exporters expect steady growth of pangasius exports to these markets by the end of 2014.